Seniors: Berkeley sheriff wants you to protect yourself from fraud

The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office wants seniors to be prepared and know how to protect themselves from fraud, so they have launched a free Senior Fraud Prevention Tour at multiple locations throughout Berkeley County. 

On Daniel Island, the meeting will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 7-8 p.m., 7:00 p.m. at the Daniel Island Library, 2301 Daniel Island Drive.

The Sheriff’s Office understands that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and older adults continue to be one of their primary targets. This tour is a way to help protect members of our community.

The educational presentation is designed to help seniors, caregivers, family members, and anyone interested in protecting loved ones recognize, avoid, and report common scams and financial exploitation. Attendees will learn practical strategies to identify fraudulent schemes before becoming victims and will receive guidance on what to do if they suspect a scam. The presentation will cover a variety of important topics, including phone and text message scams, grandparent and AI voice scams, identity theft prevention, online safety tips, financial fraud

awareness, and how to recognize and report suspicious activity.

"Our goal is to empower our community with the knowledge they need to stay one step ahead of scammers," said Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis. "Education is one of the strongest tools we have to prevent fraud and protect our seniors from becoming victims."

Additional presentations around the county are as follows:

• Tues., Aug.18 | 7-8 p.m. Sangaree Library, located at 595 Sangaree Parkway.

• Tues., August 25 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. Macedonia Christian Church, located at 2428 N Hwy 17A S, Bonneau, SC 29431.

• Thurs., Sept. 24 | 7-8 p.m. Del Webb Point Hope, located at 2337 Bay Strip Drive, Charleston, SC 29492

The presentations are free and open to the public. No matter your age, learning how scammers operate can help protect you, your family, and your finances.

Provided by Berkeley County Sheriff's Office